Politicians buying PVCs to win 2023 elections – INEC raises alarm

Folawiyo Rifdhat Tolani

In preparation for of the 2023 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission, on Monday, alleged that some politicians are buying Permanent Voters Cards in order to illegally extract the Voter Identification Number.

According to the commission, two offenders are currently serving jail terms for illegal possession of PVCs in Sokoto and Kano states.

Top official of the commission, Mohammed Haruna, made this revelation in Abuja, on Monday, during the launch of the #YourVoteMatters project by an election observer group, NESSACTION

The project was aided by the International Foundation for Electoral System; the United States Agency for International Development and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Mohammed, however, urged the Nigerians not to trade their their PVCs.

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The Executive Director of NESSACTION, Eniola Cole, stated that the project slated for implementation in the FCT, Nasarawa, and Plateau states, would give logistic motivation to communities with low PVC collection rates.

She praised INEC for the technological reforms in the electoral process.

She noted, “We implore the general public to take advantage of the timeframe set by INEC for PVC collection at the Commission’s LGA offices nationwide from December 12, 2022, to January 5, 2023, and at the 8809 Registration Areas from January 6, 2023, to January 22, 2023, including Saturdays and Sundays.

“The public can, through dedicated channels, inform us of their location in order to receive support including the PVC collection buses and community outreach activities to be conducted at the local level in each state by our community mobilisation officers.”